Mercruiser owner to list serve: Just thought I’d share some information with you all that I have recently learned.
I installed a new EST distributor to my 3.0 TKS engine as I was having some issues which pointed towards ignition.
Anyway, what I have found is anything other than using an original quicksilver marine unit will not work correctly as the base map in the non original ignition module is for automotive use and therefore different and does not advance timing until 2500rpm.
The module for marine applications advances at 850rpm.
After trying various different non original distributors I was not able to enter the module into timing mode making them totally unusable.
Various marine company’s online will have you believe non OEM distributors are the same, but they are 100% not.
Intelligent tinkering: That's interesting and good to know. I was thinking about switching. I have a vacuum-advance electronic distributor in my old VW bus and love how reliable it is. The OEM contact breaker distributors for mercruiser have centrifugal advance. So electronic ignition modules that are fitted under the rotor of your own or a reconditioned distributor would still advance correctly, assuming the mechanism still works. I think the benefit of an electronic ignition system is that you have something more reliable. I'd hate to discover my points needed reset while heading for a lee shore on a windy lake or worse, the sea. But the fact that you can fix a points-based distributor in the water counts for something. I'm definitely a fair weather boater, so that takes the sting out. I don't think I'll switch just yet, but if I did I'd get one with the old centrifugal advance system.
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